Kitty33

Hi all, Moving to Townsville in a couple of months with husband and 2 kids aged 3&1. We will be there for a 12 month period then heading south to Sunshine Coast. Looking for good areas to rent for families (any good nurseries?) but also wouldn't mind being close to the strand, having read some older threads it looks like North Ward, Mount Louisa, Bushland beach, Annandale and there are some areas that seem more crime prone than others. Husband will be working in Townsville hospital, I will be central town. any advice appreciated, thank you ?

No it's not available in Australia I am afraid If you're not planning kids in the next 3 years a very similar hormone is found in the implant nexplanon/implanon which your gp could fit for you (for free if in UK) and lasts for 3 years. Generally if you get on well with cerazette you will with the implant, they are also available in Oz so you could have replaced there. Hope that's helpful

Thank you! Quite relieved I can give the arm a little rest, folding clothes and sheets one handed still a bit tricky though!:confused:

Shipping co coming next week to pack up the house, just sorting through everything and a bit worried about some furniture- its all wooden and mostly clearly treated/stained wood but just realised insides of drawers in chest of drawers look like bare wood! :arghh:Do I need to varnish it? Already oiling everything else and given myself tennis elbow! Any advice/experience welcome! Thanks x

Exactly, he can but his wife can't- That's why she needs the exemption, there's a 10 year moratorium on overseas doctors working in Australia

Hi Jamie, The spousal exemption refers to her ability to get a Medicare provider number which she will need to work in Australia. I am hoping to get the same and as far as I understand you have to prove that your spouses job/speciality is 'in need' in that area of Australia and therefore you are then granted an exemption to work there also. My husband is also medical which makes it easier for us, I am not sure whether your job would meet that classification in Sydney. Is you wife going through an agency? If so they should help get this sorted for her. PM me if you think I can help further (we are hoping to move over in the next 6 weeks) Kitty Forgot to say that without the exemption your wife can only work in a DWS (district workforce shortage) for GPs which essentially means she can't work in a city centre (see the map on doctor connect website) for 10 years after first arriving.

Thank you both! Looking forward to some heat, it's freezing here at the mo, can't wait to get there now and do some exploring x

Thinking of moving there for a year or so, going to check it out for the first time next week and just wondered what you would recommend seeing? I like the idea of seeing some jumping crocodiles and markets but not sure which are the best?! Also have to devote 2 days to work related paperwork so only really 3 days of fun, any advice appreciated, Thank you x

Hi Jon, I had been looking at GP jobs around there, I was told a nice place to live nearby was Buderim- short drive to the beach, mountain views and nice town/shops, houses look good on realestate.com.au. Hope that's helpful, good luck with it all! Kitty

Extra bag of 23 kg for 30 quid.......another good reason for you making the correct choice!

Could you please pm me too mizzmp? So sorry to hear what a nightmare you had, we are about to pay up and I certainly don't want to give any money to the company that messed you around. I hope your insurance covers it all and it all gets sorted quickly, thank you x

Thanks everyone, I think we'll go for adding me onto his visa, I will be working full time but don't want the stress of having to swap things over when we're out there just in case!

Thank you Rupert! Feel much happier already, will check with employer about the mat leave issue and see what they say. What I meant was going as a spouse on my husbands 457 visa which can apparently take longer than having my own sponsered 457. thanks again

Myself and husband have 2 year contracts to start work in January and are both being sponsered for 457 visas individually (we have only recently married and are aware that spousal visas take longer to get and require lots of evidence..) I have a theoretical question.... if I were to get pregnant during the 2 year contract (not that this is at all planned) what would happen when I went on mat leave? My contract has no allowance for this as I would be working as an 'independent contractor' my concern is that I would go on mat leave and employer would give me my 28 days to find another sponser (which clearly wouldn't happen!) and I'd have to leave! Is it possible to transfer to a spousal 457 visa once you're in Australia if you already have your own 457? Or are we better off doing he spousal visa now so I don't have to worry about the potential problems? Would be really grateful of any advice or if anyone has been through the same situation it would be lovely to hear your experiences, Thank you!!!

Hi Stu, There are a few of us on the doctors thread, have a read and PM me if you have questions. The doctorconnect website is very useful, will try and send you the link. The first place to start is the AMC specialist application which takes about 2/3 months to complete, then RACGP, APHRA, medicare then visa..... Good luck! Kitty

Maybe take a copy of your last letter from breast clinic.... Just realised you said you hadn't been, sorry! Ask your gp I am sure they will help x

I agree with Jon, it's TB there really looking for. Breast cysts are v common and won't be an issue, don't worry. Kitty

Hi Craig, We are moving to Darwin in October, trying to decide if it's worthwhile bringing the following car- 1. BMW Z4 2.2i SE 2004 2. Convertible 3. Petrol, automatic, rear wheel drive 4. 68,000 miles/ 109,000 km 5. Cruise control, added storage, parrot MP3/phone/I pod, rear parking sensor 6. Air con 7. UK £6500 8. Australia red book: 21,500- 24,600 AUD 9. Car sales.com.au nearest equivalents $26,000- 30,000 Thanks in advance, Kitty